Question 1

Between approximately 40 million and 10 million years ago, a profound change occurred in Australia's climate. This change involved

Accepted Answer

A)  a decrease in air temperature and decrease in rainfall. 
B)  Increased rainfall but no change in temperature. 
C)  an increase in air temperature and a decrease in rainfall. 
D)  a decrease in air temperature and an increase in rainfall. 
E)  an increase in air temperature and an increase in rainfall. 
A)  a decrease in air temperature and decrease in rainfall. 
B)  Increased rainfall but no change in temperature. 
C)  an increase in air temperature and a decrease in rainfall. 
D)  a decrease in air temperature and an increase in rainfall. 
E)  an increase in air temperature and an increase in rainfall.

Question 2

Wattles belong to the family

Accepted Answer

A)  Proteaceae. 
B)  Epacridaceae. 
C)  Mimosaceae. 
D)  Myrtaceae. 
E)  Fabaceae. 
A)  Proteaceae. 
B)  Epacridaceae. 
C)  Mimosaceae. 
D)  Myrtaceae. 
E)  Fabaceae.

Question 3

The history of Australian plants and animals has been significantly influenced by

Accepted Answer

A)  the movement of land masses. 
B)  climate changes. 
C)  arrival of humans. 
D)  fire. 
E)  All of the answers have had an influence. 
A)  the movement of land masses. 
B)  climate changes. 
C)  arrival of humans. 
D)  fire. 
E)  All of the answers have had an influence.

Question 4

The frog family Myobatrachids is described as Gondwanan because myobatrachids

Accepted Answer

A)  are only found in Australia. 
B)  are virtually restricted to Australia, Central America and South America. 
C)  have diversified life styles due to isolation in Australia. 
D)  often have bizarre life histories. 
E)  entered Australia only after collision with the Asian plate. 
A)  are only found in Australia. 
B)  are virtually restricted to Australia, Central America and South America. 
C)  have diversified life styles due to isolation in Australia. 
D)  often have bizarre life histories. 
E)  entered Australia only after collision with the Asian plate.

Question 5

A phyllode is a

Accepted Answer

A)  leaf that consists of pinnules arranged along a central axis. 
B)  leaf found on succulent plants. 
C)  leaf modified to form a thorn. 
D)  flattened petiole that functions as a leaf. 
E)  the linear leaf of grass trees. 
A)  leaf that consists of pinnules arranged along a central axis. 
B)  leaf found on succulent plants. 
C)  leaf modified to form a thorn. 
D)  flattened petiole that functions as a leaf. 
E)  the linear leaf of grass trees.

Question 6

Which of the following statements is true?

Accepted Answer

A)  Radiocarbon dating of archaeological sites suggests that humans have lived in Australia for at least 40 000 years. 
B)  Studies using thermoluminescence suggest that humans have lived in Australia for at least 50 000 years. 
C)  Increased levels of charcoal within pollen records suggest that humans may have lived in Australia for as long as 128 000 years. 
D)  Examination of fossil skuls show that Australia was populated by a number of different immigrant groups. 
E)  All of the answers are true. 
A)  Radiocarbon dating of archaeological sites suggests that humans have lived in Australia for at least 40 000 years. 
B)  Studies using thermoluminescence suggest that humans have lived in Australia for at least 50 000 years. 
C)  Increased levels of charcoal within pollen records suggest that humans may have lived in Australia for as long as 128 000 years. 
D)  Examination of fossil skuls show that Australia was populated by a number of different immigrant groups. 
E)  All of the answers are true.

Question 7

Many taxa are restricted to the southern hemisphere. These include

Accepted Answer

A)  elephant birds. 
B)  extinct moas. 
C)  ostriches. 
D)  emus. 
E)  All of these species are restricted to the Southern Hemisphere. 
A)  elephant birds. 
B)  extinct moas. 
C)  ostriches. 
D)  emus. 
E)  All of these species are restricted to the Southern Hemisphere.

Question 8

The types of plant communities growing in different parts of Australia are mainly determined by the

Accepted Answer

A)  rainfall patterns. 
B)  temperature. 
C)  nutrient levels in the soil. 
D)  All of the answers are equally important. 
E)  geological structure of the soil. 
A)  rainfall patterns. 
B)  temperature. 
C)  nutrient levels in the soil. 
D)  All of the answers are equally important. 
E)  geological structure of the soil.

Question 9

Sclerophyllous flora has several features that make them well-suited to several environmental conditions. Which of the following is NOT one of them?

Accepted Answer

A)  Water stress 
B)  Fire 
C)  Low soil nutrients 
D)  Sandy, leached soil 
E)  Frost 
A)  Water stress 
B)  Fire 
C)  Low soil nutrients 
D)  Sandy, leached soil 
E)  Frost

Question 10

Most of Australia's fauna of reptiles are thought to have been colonised from Asia after the Australian continent drifted north. However, molecular data has conclusively demonstrated that at least one group is Gondwanan in origin. What is this group called?

Accepted Answer

A)  Crusperatineae 
B)  Florkenariums 
C)  Diplodactyloids 
D)  Varanidae 
E)  Elapidae 
A)  Crusperatineae 
B)  Florkenariums 
C)  Diplodactyloids 
D)  Varanidae 
E)  Elapidae

Question 11

Which of the following statements is true?

Accepted Answer

A)  Grassland vegetation has remained relatively important in Australia throughout all geological periods. 
B)  'Fire sensitive' open forests increased in importance over time as burning levels increased. 
C)  'Fire tolerant' vegetation increased in importance in Australia as geological periods progressed towards modern times. 
D)  Rainforest and grasslands have been of similar importance in Australia. 
E)  Rainforest was replaced with fire-tolerant vegetation in early Tertiary. 
A)  Grassland vegetation has remained relatively important in Australia throughout all geological periods. 
B)  'Fire sensitive' open forests increased in importance over time as burning levels increased. 
C)  'Fire tolerant' vegetation increased in importance in Australia as geological periods progressed towards modern times. 
D)  Rainforest and grasslands have been of similar importance in Australia. 
E)  Rainforest was replaced with fire-tolerant vegetation in early Tertiary.

Question 12

Adaptive radiation is

Accepted Answer

A)  moving out from a colonisation point into environments to which an organism is better suited. 
B)  a phenomenon in which weed species spread over, and in the process modify, their environment. 
C)  a floral structure seen in many native daisies that enables them to attract insects in the cool of the night. 
D)  the rapid evolution of a large number of closely related species. 
E)  where a species is represented through all parts of the earth. 
A)  moving out from a colonisation point into environments to which an organism is better suited. 
B)  a phenomenon in which weed species spread over, and in the process modify, their environment. 
C)  a floral structure seen in many native daisies that enables them to attract insects in the cool of the night. 
D)  the rapid evolution of a large number of closely related species. 
E)  where a species is represented through all parts of the earth.

Question 13

Mesophytes are

Accepted Answer

A)  plants with rigid, small leaves and short internodes. 
B)  plants which grow in sandy, dry soil. 
C)  plants which survive in salty conditions because they have a mucilagenous, watery sap. 
D)  succulent plants. 
E)  plants which live where there is sufficient water supply. 
A)  plants with rigid, small leaves and short internodes. 
B)  plants which grow in sandy, dry soil. 
C)  plants which survive in salty conditions because they have a mucilagenous, watery sap. 
D)  succulent plants. 
E)  plants which live where there is sufficient water supply.

Question 14

Chlorodesmis (Caulerpa) and Halimeda are what type of algae, and in which area do they dominate?

Accepted Answer

A)  Transpophyta (colourless algae), dominant in the Gulf of Carpentaria 
B)  Anthophyta (purple algae), dominant in the rocky, warm coastal areas of far eastern Australia 
C)  Phaeophyta (brown algae), dominant in the north-west tropical coast 
D)  Chlorophyta (green algae), dominant in the Great Barrier Reef 
E)  Rhodophyta (red algae), dominant in southern temperate zones 
A)  Transpophyta (colourless algae), dominant in the Gulf of Carpentaria 
B)  Anthophyta (purple algae), dominant in the rocky, warm coastal areas of far eastern Australia 
C)  Phaeophyta (brown algae), dominant in the north-west tropical coast 
D)  Chlorophyta (green algae), dominant in the Great Barrier Reef 
E)  Rhodophyta (red algae), dominant in southern temperate zones

Question 15

Which of the following lists contains the names of only succulent plants?

Accepted Answer

A)  Aizoaceae (e.g. pigface); Portulacaceae (e.g. parakeelias); Chenopodiaceae (e.g. samphires). 
B)  Aizoaceae (e.g. pigface); Portulacaceae (e.g. parakeelias); Proteaceae (e.g. Banksia). 
C)  Aizoaceae (e.g. pigface); Chenopodiaceae (e.g. samphires); Proteaceae (e.g. Banksia). 
D)  Aizoaceae (e.g. pigface), Chenopodiaceae (samphires), Myrtaceae (brush box). 
E)  Epacridaceae (southern heaths); Portulacaceae (e.g. parakeelias); Proteaceae (e.g. Banksia). 
A)  Aizoaceae (e.g. pigface); Portulacaceae (e.g. parakeelias); Chenopodiaceae (e.g. samphires). 
B)  Aizoaceae (e.g. pigface); Portulacaceae (e.g. parakeelias); Proteaceae (e.g. Banksia). 
C)  Aizoaceae (e.g. pigface); Chenopodiaceae (e.g. samphires); Proteaceae (e.g. Banksia). 
D)  Aizoaceae (e.g. pigface), Chenopodiaceae (samphires), Myrtaceae (brush box). 
E)  Epacridaceae (southern heaths); Portulacaceae (e.g. parakeelias); Proteaceae (e.g. Banksia).

Question 16

Which statement about Australian landforms is INCORRECT?

Accepted Answer

A)  Extensive deposits of limestone across southern Australia are the remains of ancient coral reefs. 
B)  Many inland salt basins like Lake Eyre once contained crocodiles. 
C)  Australia did not experience massive expansions of ice, but some glaciation did occur in the highlands of Tasmania. 
D)  Rocks from regions like the Pilbara are among the oldest found. 
E)  Extensive wind-blown dune systems formed during periods of aridity. 
A)  Extensive deposits of limestone across southern Australia are the remains of ancient coral reefs. 
B)  Many inland salt basins like Lake Eyre once contained crocodiles. 
C)  Australia did not experience massive expansions of ice, but some glaciation did occur in the highlands of Tasmania. 
D)  Rocks from regions like the Pilbara are among the oldest found. 
E)  Extensive wind-blown dune systems formed during periods of aridity.

Question 17

Which of the following statements is INCORRECT?

Accepted Answer

A)  Hipsilophodonts are small plant-eating dinosaurs. 
B)  Australia had a diverse replitian fauna, which now has no modern decendents. 
C)  Some Australian dinosaurs had enlarged eyes and were well adapted to the long polar nights they experienced. 
D)  DNA evidence suggests that some reptiles may be related to African dragon lizards. 
E)  Most modern reptiles appear to have originated from Asia before the break up of Australia. 
A)  Hipsilophodonts are small plant-eating dinosaurs. 
B)  Australia had a diverse replitian fauna, which now has no modern decendents. 
C)  Some Australian dinosaurs had enlarged eyes and were well adapted to the long polar nights they experienced. 
D)  DNA evidence suggests that some reptiles may be related to African dragon lizards. 
E)  Most modern reptiles appear to have originated from Asia before the break up of Australia.

Question 18

Australia severed its links with Antarctica and became an island about how many years ago?

Accepted Answer

A)  320 million. 
B)  230 million. 
C)  80 million. 
D)  30 million. 
E)  10 million. 
A)  320 million. 
B)  230 million. 
C)  80 million. 
D)  30 million. 
E)  10 million.

Question 19

The Australian landmass is described as one of the oldest, geologically, because

Accepted Answer

A)  it was one of the first continents to separate from Gondwana. 
B)  significant alteration of the landscape by non-indigenous Australians has occurred only in the last few centuries. 
C)  the Australian plate (the lithosphere that carries the Australian continent) was the first of the earth's plates to form. 
D)  the land was largely empty and subjected to the weather. 
E)  it has experienced relatively little mountain-building or volcanic activity. 
A)  it was one of the first continents to separate from Gondwana. 
B)  significant alteration of the landscape by non-indigenous Australians has occurred only in the last few centuries. 
C)  the Australian plate (the lithosphere that carries the Australian continent) was the first of the earth's plates to form. 
D)  the land was largely empty and subjected to the weather. 
E)  it has experienced relatively little mountain-building or volcanic activity.

Question 20

At an international cargo port a shipping container has been discovered that is bereft of identification but was known to have been unloaded from an Australian vessel. Authorities need to ascertain where in Australia the container may have come from so as to gauge quarantine concerns. The only clue to its origins is a small, leafed branch that is found inside it. Upon examination it is found to have small, hard leaves, short internodes, thick cuticles, sunken stomata in grooves, a high proportion of lignified cells and thick-walled hypodermal cells between the epidermis and photosynthetic mesophyll. What kind of flora is this, and how useful is it in determining where the container may have been loaded?

Accepted Answer

A)  Sclerophyllous, which is of very limited assistance given that such plants dominate the Australian landscape. 
B)  Sclerophyllous, which limits the container's origins to northern tropical regions. 
C)  Matorall, which limits the container's origins to southern alpine or subalpine regions. 
D)  Chaparral, which is of very limited assistance given that such plants dominate the understory of most Australian environments. 
E)  Phrygana, which limits the container's origins to the southern tip of Tasmania or Macquarie island. 
A)  Sclerophyllous, which is of very limited assistance given that such plants dominate the Australian landscape. 
B)  Sclerophyllous, which limits the container's origins to northern tropical regions. 
C)  Matorall, which limits the container's origins to southern alpine or subalpine regions. 
D)  Chaparral, which is of very limited assistance given that such plants dominate the understory of most Australian environments. 
E)  Phrygana, which limits the container's origins to the southern tip of Tasmania or Macquarie island.

Exam 42: Australian Biota

Between approximately 40 million and 10 million years ago, a profound change occurred in Australia's climate. This change involved

Wattles belong to the family

The history of Australian plants and animals has been significantly influenced by

The frog family Myobatrachids is described as Gondwanan because myobatrachids

A phyllode is a

Which of the following statements is true?

Many taxa are restricted to the southern hemisphere. These include

The types of plant communities growing in different parts of Australia are mainly determined by the

Sclerophyllous flora has several features that make them well-suited to several environmental conditions. Which of the following is NOT one of them?

Most of Australia's fauna of reptiles are thought to have been colonised from Asia after the Australian continent drifted north. However, molecular data has conclusively demonstrated that at least one group is Gondwanan in origin. What is this group called?

Which of the following statements is true?

Adaptive radiation is

Mesophytes are

Chlorodesmis (Caulerpa) and Halimeda are what type of algae, and in which area do they dominate?

Which of the following lists contains the names of only succulent plants?

Which statement about Australian landforms is INCORRECT?

Which of the following statements is INCORRECT?

Australia severed its links with Antarctica and became an island about how many years ago?

The Australian landmass is described as one of the oldest, geologically, because

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